Emma has been asked a simple question: “How old are you?” But instead of answering with a number, she gives an expression:
50 + 10 × 0 + 7 + 2
At first glance, some readers might add the first two numbers before multiplying. That produces a different answer. The challenge is to remember the order of operations.
Multiplication comes before addition
Under the usual arithmetic rules, you complete multiplication and division before addition and subtraction.
The expression includes 10 × 0. Any number multiplied by zero is zero, so that middle part disappears:
50 + 0 + 7 + 2
Now add the remaining numbers from left to right. Fifty plus seven is 57, and two more makes 59.
Emma’s age revealed
According to the math expression, Emma is 59 years old.
This is why a short equation can catch people out. The numbers are easy, but doing everything from left to right without respecting multiplication changes the result.
Did you get 59 immediately? Share the answer you calculated before looking at the explanation, and see whether your friends remember the rule.
